Washington County Extension

10/12/2026

Our office will be closed this WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14th (all day) and THURSDAY, Oct. 15th until 1:00pm. All of our staff will be out for youth programming. Please plan accordingly if you need us this week! Thanks!

10/09/2026

Sharing. It's a hard message but a good reminder of struggles we all go through.

Without a doubt, the most important episode we've ever posted. Mental health in agriculture, we know it's an issue. We don't talk about it enough. Andy shares his mental health journey, and it's one we all should hear.

The Iowa Beef Collective can be found on the major podcast platforms. Link in the comments ⬇

10/09/2026

This week at the Washington County Extension Office! Celebrating 4-H and our volunteers.

10/04/2026

September 22, 2026 Content Author: Daniel Andersen There is a point every fall when manure management starts to feel less like agronomy and more like logistics, or, in a few years, panic. The crop is ready, or at least getting ready, to come out. The manure pit keeps getting fuller. The forecast has...

10/02/2026

Wet fall conditions can mean more than just a slower soybean harvest.

When soybeans remain in the field during wet conditions, seed quality can become a concern. Knowing what to watch for and understanding your options can help you make better harvest and management decisions.

If you have soybeans still standing, take a few minutes to read this timely information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Soybean Seed Quality Issues During a Wet Fall
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/washington/soybean-seed-quality-issues-during-wet-fall

🌾 Stay safe, keep an eye on crop conditions, and have a good harvest!

September 29, 2026 Content Author: Daren S Mueller Soybean seed diseases are showing up across Iowa, which isn’t surprising considering the wet weather experienced in parts of the state over the past month (Fig 1). The rain is a double whammy for farmers this time of year as it favors continued fu...

10/02/2026

Stuck equipment? Take a breath before you pull.

Harvest is already stressful enough. When a combine, grain cart, tractor, or truck gets stuck, it can be tempting to hook up and pull as quickly as possible. But taking a few extra minutes to plan a safe recovery can help prevent equipment damage or, more importantly, serious injury.

Before you hook up the chain, cable, or recovery rope, take time to think through the recovery.

Check out this timely article from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Washington County on making safe equipment recovery decisions during harvest:

A few extra minutes can make all the difference. Stay safe this harvest!

September 25, 2026 Content Author: Doug Houser, Luke Fuhrer Wet field conditions can create significant challenges during harvest. Temporary ponds, saturated low areas and wet spots that may look firm from the combine or tractor cab can quickly turn into places where heavy harvest equipment becomes....

10/01/2026

Talkin' Crap from ISU Extension and Outreach Manure Management. El Nino's impact on fall Manure Applications

Dan Andersen discusses managing nitrogen and manure application in response to potential weather impacts caused by an El Ninõ event. 

10/01/2026

Rain for days. Good article from Farm Journal's Pork.

Saturated soils and back-to-back storms are leaving Iowa farmers with full manure storage and unworkable ground, but experts say it’s not time to panic yet.

10/01/2026

A quick phone call now could make a difference later.

Crop insurance is an important part of managing risk on the farm. Taking a few minutes to touch base with your crop insurance agent can help make sure you understand your coverage and are prepared for what may come.

Before you get too far down the road, it may be worth a phone call to your crop insurance agent.

Read more from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Washington County: